There are people who argue that the Cyprus Problem is the result of an identity conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. This paper aims at evaluating the role of that conflict within a post-colonial context with the help of a literature review. More specifically, the political life and the clashes that took place during the EOKA liberation struggle will be examined.
The data that will be presented in this paper indicates that the Cyprus problem is indeed a result of the conflicts between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Nationalism that captured both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities was the main factor in provoking ethnic violence on the island. Britain's colonial power has also contributed to maintaining the division between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to serve its own sovereign interests, a division that exists up to date. The rejection of the different identities of the two communities led to political insecurity and discrimination.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Colonization of Cyprus
The Liberation Struggle of EOKA (1955-1959)
The Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus
Local Clashes
The Identities Conflict
Endogenous Causes and Exogenous Factors
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the role of inter-communal conflicts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots within a post-colonial framework, specifically analyzing how internal nationalism and external colonial influences shaped the political landscape leading up to the declaration of the Republic of Cyprus.
- The impact of British colonial policy and the "divide and conquer" strategy.
- The influence of EOKA’s liberation struggle and the opposing visions of Enosis and Taksim.
- The role of identity conflicts and nationalism in deepening communal divisions.
- The geopolitical interests of Turkey and Greece in the formation of the Cypriot state.
- The consequences of failed inter-communal cooperation on the stability of the new Republic.
Excerpt from the Book
THE IDENTITIES CONFLICT
In addition to natural conflicts, relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are also characterized by conflicts of their identities. Naturally, preserving these identities conflicts between the two communities have an important role in shaping the prevailing tendencies and attitudes on the island today. Mavratsas (1998:15), characterizes nationalism as the dominant element in the modern Greek Cypriot culture. He also mentions that, in reaction to the Greek Cypriot unification movement, Turkish Cypriot nationalism was born, presenting the demand for ethnic division of the island. The conflict, he states, between the two nationalisms and the exploitation of the situation by the British administration resulted in the birth of the Cyprus problem.
It is a historical fact that the Greek Cypriot elite had set as a national goal the unification with Greece, implying the view that Cyprus is Greek. As a result of this one-dimensional perspective, a dynamic was created that deprived Cyprus of its uniqueness. The passion for unification was blind and, in the end, led to the total ignorance of the Turkish Cypriot community. The presence of the nationalist element was intense and in combination with the subsequent facilitation of the expansion of Greek nationalism, the existence of a Muslim community on the island was not taken into account, as did the importance of the neighboring with Turkey. On the other hand, the Turkish Cypriot elite, in its attempt to react to Greek nationalism and Enosis, strengthened the Turkish consciousness, which was amplified after the World War II when, with the help of the British colonialism, Turkish nationalism grew stronger (Kizilyurek, 1999: 34-35).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the research focus on internal and external factors affecting the Cyprus Problem and the necessity of examining colonial influence and identity clashes.
The Colonization of Cyprus: Discusses the British acquisition of Cyprus in 1878 and how colonial administration impacted the island's demographics and power structures.
The Liberation Struggle of EOKA (1955-1959): Details the rise of the anti-colonial movement, the drive for Enosis, and the emergence of competing nationalist organizations like TMT.
The Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus: Covers the transition to independence following the Zurich-London agreements and the inherent weaknesses of the new state's constitution.
Local Clashes: Analyzes the escalation of inter-communal violence, specifically highlighting the tragic events at Kionelli in 1958.
The Identities Conflict: Explores how conflicting nationalisms—Enosis versus Taksim—and the lack of inclusive identity construction hindered coexistence.
Endogenous Causes and Exogenous Factors: Synthesizes how local political failures and strategic interventions by external actors like Britain and Turkey solidified the division.
Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, arguing that historical unresolved grievances and ongoing foreign influence continue to perpetuate the Cyprus Problem.
Keywords
Cyprus Problem, EOKA, Enosis, Taksim, British Colonialism, Nationalism, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Identity Conflict, TMT, Republic of Cyprus, Decolonization, Ethnic Violence, Geopolitics, Post-colonialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the origins and development of the Cyprus Problem, specifically focusing on the conflicts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots from the beginning of the EOKA liberation struggle until the declaration of the Republic of Cyprus.
What are the primary thematic areas covered in the study?
The main themes include the impact of British colonial rule, the ideological clash between Enosis (unification with Greece) and Taksim (partition), the influence of rising nationalism, and the role of external powers in managing the island's trajectory.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to value the role of identity conflicts and internal/external factors in the post-colonial context of Cyprus to better understand why the problem remains unresolved.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper primarily utilizes a comprehensive literature review to analyze historical events, political developments, and the underlying sociological factors that fueled communal tensions.
What is analyzed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the historical timeline of colonial administration, the rise of armed organizations like EOKA and TMT, the failure of the Zurich-London treaties, and the sociological impact of clashing national identities on the island's population.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Cyprus Problem, EOKA, Enosis, Taksim, Nationalism, British Colonialism, and Inter-communal conflict.
How did British colonial policy contribute to the division of the two communities?
The paper argues that Britain employed "divide and conquer" tactics, manipulating the concerns of both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to serve British sovereign interests and maintain control over the island.
What role did the "Zurich-London Treaty" play in the establishment of the Republic?
The treaty created an unstable independence under the guardianship of England, Turkey, and Greece, introducing a constitution that the author describes as "odd" due to the irrational power dynamics it established between the majority and minority communities.
- Citation du texte
- Kyriakos Konstanta (Auteur), 2018, The influence of Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the Cyprus problem, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/464086
